Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.24.3 (collagenase)
 18,340 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Streptococcus constellatus, S. intermedius, and S. anginosus, the three species of the S. milleri group, form part of the normal flora most commonly found in the mouth, throat, gastrointenstinal tract, and genital tract. The S. milleri group has become known as an important pathogen in abscess disease, but little attention has been paid to their role in deep neck abscesses. We have treated 9 patients with deep neck abscesses relating to the S. milleri group since 1991, and regarded this group as an important pathogen also in these abscesses. We studied the frequency of the S. milleri group isolated from deep neck abscesses in our cases and from the literature and discuss clinical significance and bacteriological pathogenesis. Cases numbered 27 treated at our facility since 1991 and 200 cases reported in the Japanese literature since 1990. Of our 9 cases, 4 originated from acute pharyngitis, 3 from peritonsillar abscesses, and 2 from odontogenic infection. Serious complications such as mediastinitis, cervical necrotizing fasciitis, sepsis accompanied by disseminated intravascular coagulation, and spondylitis of the cervical vertebrae were seen in 4 cases. Among organisms isolated, the S. milleri group appeared to be a pathogen contributing to abscess formation and to serious complications. The genus Streptococcus was most frequently isolated both in our 27 cases (66.7%) and the 200 in the literature (45.5%). Among species of the genus Streptococcus, the S. milleri group numbered the highest in our cases at 33.3% but only 8.5% in the literature. Cases in the literature, however, contained many unknown species of Streptococci--31.5% vs. 18.5% in our cases. alpha-streptococcus was frequently reported in the literature among unknown species of Streptococci--36 of 63. Culture-negative cases were also numbered more in the literature than in our case--29.0% vs. 18.5%. Special conditions and procedures are required to suitably isolate and detect the S. milleri group. Since not all facilities use identical techniques in routine bacteriological examination, a considerable number of the S. milleri group could be missed in unknown species of Streptococci or alpha-streptococcus and culture-negative cases. The detailed pathogenesis of the S. milleri group remains to be clarified. Infection by normal flora on mucosa is thought to occur due to an imbalance between organisms and host defense in deep neck abscesses. Some strains of the S. milleri group have been reported to produce many tissue-destroying enzymes such as collagenase and hyaluronidase. The co-existence of the S. milleri group with some anaerobe strains has also been suggested to accelerate inflammation. We discuss the mechanism inducing the massive release of cytokines through T cell response to certain exotoxins produced by S. milleri group, as reported in toxic shock-like syndrome due to the group A beta-streptococcus and in alpha-streptococcal shock syndrome due to viridans streptococci (alpha-streptococci).
 ...
PMID:[Clinical and bacteriological significance of the Streptococcus milleri group in deep neck abscesses]. 1125 79

Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a cytokine which interacts with a variety of haemopoietic and non-haemopoietic cell types. Recombinant human IL-11 (rhIL-11; oprelvekin) is produced in Escherichia coli and differs from the naturally occurring protein only in the absence of the amino-terminal proline residue. In synergy with other factors, rhIL-11 stimulates the growth of myeloid, erythroid, and megakaryocyte progenitor cells in vitro. In vivo, rhIL-11 is active in mice, rats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters and non-human primates, where the principal activity measured was stimulation of megakaryocytopoiesis and thrombopoiesis. rhIL-11 has shown benefit in 2 clinical trials by significantly reducing severe chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. In addition to its thrombopoietic activity, rhIL-11 has also shown activity in models of acute gastrointestinal mucosal damage. rhIL-11 enhanced survival in mice following cytoablative therapy and in a hamster model of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis, where treatment with rhIL-11 was associated with decreased mucosal damage, accelerated healing and reduced numbers of deaths. rhIL-11 is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis. In rat models of acute colonic injury and inflammatory bowel disease, rhIL-11 treatment reduced intestinal mucosal damage and alleviated clinical signs. rhIL-11 has direct effects on activated macrophages to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. In animal models of endotoxaemia, rhIL-11 treatment reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and blocked hypotension. rhIL-11 increased survival in models of Gram-negative sepsis and toxic shock. Based on these studies, rhIL-11 is currently in clinical trials for treatment of Crohn's disease. Other inflammatory conditions are being further evaluated. Mechanistically, rhIL-11 functions at many levels to control inflammation, ameliorate tissue damage and maintain haemostasis in the face of trauma or infection. rhIL-11 has direct effects on hepatocytes, inducing the production of acute phase reactant proteins, haem oxygenase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). TIMP-1 expression can also be induced in synoviocytes and chondrocytes by treatment with rhIL-11. rhIL-11 administration has been associated with increased plasma levels of von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen. rhIL-11 treatment potentially offers multiple benefits for cancer chemotherapy patients, such as prevention of thrombocytopenia, gastrointestinal epithelial protection and subsequent reduction of mucositis, and amelioration of inflammatory complications. In addition, rhIL-11 is being evaluated further in the treatment of inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis.
 ...
PMID:Interleukin-11. 1803 Nov 4